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Court Appointed Special Advocates of Kern County community outreach coordinator Karina Capellino and CASA volunteer Randy Tinsley talked about the need for more volunteers on "First Look with Scott Cox."

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By THE BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN

Volunteers for Court Appointed Special Advocates of Kern County speak for abused and neglected children in the juvenile dependency process.

Wednesday on "First Look with Scott Cox," CASA community outreach coordinator Karina Capellino and CASA volunteer Randy Tinsley talked about the need for more volunteers in Kern County.

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In just one week, Tinsely said, he can visit up to six kids who are either in foster care or group homes.

"Not every child in foster care needs CASA but we are advocates for those that do to build self-esteem," Tinsley said.

The application process to become a volunteer includes 30 hours of expert training in relevant skills, such as child development. There is also an extensive interview process, Capellino said.

"We have to make sure our children will remain safe," she said.

CASA will be soon hold a Superhero Run to raise money. All you need is to don your favorite superhero costume and choose to run the 2K, 5K or 10-mile run. For registration fees, visit www.kerncasa.org. The event is April 5 at Rio Bravo Ranch, 15701 Highway 178.

The body of a large paddle-tailed rodent was found early Tuesday in the traffic lanes of southbound Mohawk Street north of Truxtun Avenue, suggesting Bakersfield's fabled bike path beaver -- scourge of local saplings -- may have died.

The lush grasses and sweeps of wildflowers cloak much of the damage to the small canyon in a blanket of ephemeral green. But Ellen Cypher and Erin Tennant can see it as they walk along a sandy route that has been churned into the bottom of the wash by motorcyclists and quad riders.

Even Kern County Supervisor Leticia Perez's self-serving, disingenuous and downright contemptuous ranting against a proposed ban of Piccolo Pete and ground flower-type fireworks wasn't nearly as stunning to me as Supervisor David Couch's silence and eventual vote against the ban.